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Sunday, October 31, 2010

I read the following story in my "Thinking Like A Christian: Understanding and Living a Biblical Worldview Student Journal", for my Worldviews Class. I thought it was a really good allegory and I wanted to share it with others.

"Sometimes in the evening as the sun was starting to set, I would stroll out to the barn to check on the horses and enjoy the beauty of the sunset as it sprayed a golden glow across the wheat fields.

One evening as I was leaning against the barn admiring the magnificent sunset, I looked down and noticed an anthill. I began to study the ants as they scurried around the ground in front of me. As I watched, one little ant crawled up onto my boot, ran across the toe and off the other side. I thought to myself, 'What a bold little fellow.' He didn't even seem to realize that a being superior to himself existed.

Later on that summer, the weather got very hot and the fields became very dry. One afternoon, a thunderstorm hit our area. It came with lots of lightening but little rain. Suddenly, a streak of lightening hit the barn and within seconds there was a raging fire. I hurried to get the animals out of the barn before it was too late. As I rounded the barn, I noticed the anthill and all the ants in their usual busy-ness. I thought, I hate to see those little guys fry in this fire, but there was no way I could tell them of the impending danger to their home. If there was only some way I could communicate to those creatures, but the only way that would happen would be for me to become one of them. Then I could communicate to them in "ant" language."

What is the message of this story?

What do you think?

Aren't we the ants? Always running around and sometimes so busy with little things that we forget to look at the big picture. Don't we sometimes throw things out of perspective, forgetting that God is watching us and has a purpose and a reason for everything that comes into our life.

God found a way to save His little ants from the fire that wold consume them. He sent His one and only Son. He knew that death and eternal life in hell is our punishment for sin.

God is a holy and just God. He can not tolerate sin because of His holiness. He loves us so much, but as He is holy and just, He can not let sin go unpunished. His character demands a punishment for sin. He knew the only way to save us from punishment of death and eternal life in hell, was to send a spotless lamb, a sacrifice without blemish, a sinless being, that would give His life to save the lives of others. He sent His Son to take the sin of the world upon His shoulders, to take the blame for all our sin. God sent His Son as a messenger that could speak our language, to warn and save us from the coming fire. His Son was Jesus Christ.

God loves us so much that He sent His Son, "His only begotten Son." Can you imagine the pain it gave God, to allow His Son to die upon the cross? To not help and save Him from the pain it caused Him? In fact, when His Son took the sins of the world, our sins, upon His shoulders, God turned His face away. God's "just-ness" requires a payment for sin. That payment is eternal death. Yet He loved us so much, despite our sinful, rebellious and disobedient natures, that He still wanted to create a way to give us eternal LIFE!

He sent His Son to warn us of the coming eternal fire.

As Christians, we are Christ's ambassadors. What kind of ambassadors are we? Are we warning others of the coming fire? We can speak the language of the other "ants", after all, we are one. Are we using that ability? Are we thankful and humbled for the love and grace God has given us through the gift of salvation? Do I realize what He did? I may be willing to give my life for Christ, but am I willing to give those I love most to Christ? He did. He has given us the gift of eternal life. Are we sharing His gift with others? Are we excited to tell others of this free and incredibly loving gift He has given us?

I am ashamed to say, that I am not always eager to say things that might make me look different or odd, and yet what could be more odd than giving the life of your child to save the lives of others? I think I will look more "odd" when Judgment Day comes and those people I didn't talk to, look at me with hurt and questions in their eyes. I would rather look odd here on earth then have to look those same people in the eye in heaven and say "I didn't want to look odd."

The fire that is coming is more horrible than we can imagine. Are we telling others that it is coming? Are we telling them of the hope and salvation that is found in Jesus? He is the only way.

Am I actively preparing myself to give an answer for the hope that is in me?

1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"

I know I was convicted when I read the above story. I need to be more active in sharing the gospel with others. I am not bold, but as the following verses say:

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

Sometimes I forget that a price has been paid for my sin. Sometimes I get caught up in my day to day activities and forget that God is watching me, waiting for me to look up and remember that I am here to serve Him and to let others know of His free gift. Living at all times with that thought in mind and allowing it to control my actions and words.

He gave His Son, that we might live eternally with Him! I can't think of a more powerful or meaningful love than that!

Monday, October 25, 2010

This DVD is truly eye opening! It is scary, realistic, honest, factual, motivating, and I could go on!

A home-school father, who is also a state representative, started research on the Communist agenda and realized that America is in a lot more danger than we think. Although I was aware of the many socialistic issues going on around us and the battles that we have been fighting on abortion, homeschooling freedom, religious liberty, marriage etc. This movie showed me that we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg! The citizens of the United States need to wake up and do something. Christians need to realize that our nation was once a Christian nation and it is no longer following the Christian principles it was founded on. Why? How many Christians do you know, that are actively involved in making a difference in our country? fighting the laws? running for office? DOING SOMETHING? We must reclaim our Country or we will lose the rights we cherish and have taken for granted! Here is a link to an article that Frank Turek wrote. He was one of the speakers at the Apologetics Conference and his session on "The American Apocalypse" was very convicting. Country A Mess? Blame the Church .

Monday, September 20, 2010

I realize that I am not the most faithful blogger, however my intent is to write new blogs as the Lord leads. Lately, the Lord has kept me very busy serving physically in many different places!! Serving where He wants you is always the best! (Part of what I am learning on my quest!)

However, in between these busy times I have tried to fit in some reading. Here are the two books I have been working on, that have taught me a lot on my quest for truth:

1. Glory Duty & the Gold Dome - Wow! What a great book! This is one of those that you stay up late hoping to finish! The author, Nathaniel Darnell, has given us a look into the Georgia State House through the eyes of a State Representative and his son/assistant.

"When adversity strikes, boys must act like men. This story traces one boy’s journey as he stands beside his father to defend the life of a helpless young woman. Fourteen-year-old Thomas witnesses his father, John Richards, put his congressional race at risk to do the right thing. This high-octane adventure story digs deep, exploring important lessons related to law, civics, medical ethics, and discipleship."1.

"Throughout the story, thorough description is given to the legislative process and parliamentary procedure on a state level so that this adventure story may serve as a helpful supplement to a family’s civics study. Includes a chart on how a bill becomes law." 2.

"Glory, Duty & the Gold Dome is book one inThe Sires & Sons Adventure Series. Imagine stories where fathers eagerly disciple their sons while working together in exciting, culture- impacting missions to advance the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Along the way, they learn lessons of leadership." 3..

I highly recommend this book. Whether you are interested in politics, the constitution, history, or just desire a really good reading book, this one is a true treasure!

2. Passionate Houswives Desperate for God by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey - Again, a big "Wow"! This book has been a true encouragement to me as a stay-at-home daughter. Although the title kept me from buying it earlier, this book has reminded me how important the calling of true, biblical homemaking is; that being a wife and mother are crucial roles in our culture and that the things we do at home are just as much of a ministry to the Lord as working at your church or other full-time ministry opportunities, if they are done for the Lord's glory and praise!

"Do you wrestle with cultural messages that demean the homemaker’s calling and exalt instead the emotionally androgynous power-woman — the wife whose worth is measured only by the degree of her ambition, the shape of her body, or her money-making skills? Such is the image of the “desperate housewife” that the modern media, culture, and feminism are promoting with great energy.

In a delightfully fresh and honest way, this book addresses these issues head-on and provides fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker. Hear a former “Christian” feminist share how she went from a die-hard homemaker-in-training to a dedicated career woman and then back again — after God gripped her heart. See the hollow counterfeit of whitewashed feminism and “me-ology” destroyed. And consider the beautiful picture painted in Scripture of the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God created for her." 4.

Both of these books have taught me a lot. I haven't even finished "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" and I've learned so much!

Although they are both totally different they both have a common theme: Trusting God and Obeying His commands.

A few things I've learned through these books......

1. Obeying God may not always be easy but obedience will reap amazing blessings if we remain faithful to the Lord and His commands! The blessings may be obvious in different physical ways or they may be more inward blessing like peace and joy.

2. Trusting God with the problems that we face and giving them to Him right at the beginning of the trial will relieve us of unneeded and unwanted stress.

3. Doing what everyone expects you to do is not always what God desires or commands us to do. If we fully trust He is in control then it will make the transition to doing His will much easier.

4. We are safest and happiest when we are trusting and obeying God. When our lives are spent in service to Him, with the intent of bringing glory and honor to His name and not our own, we will find that true fulfillment and purpose that we all seek.

If you have not already read these two books I highly recommend them. I know they have blessed my life and I pray that they would encourage and bless the lives of those who read them as much as they did mine!

I hope you enjoy these two books and find the treasure that is stored in them!!

Friday, August 13, 2010

A blog written by a 20yr. old young lady who loves the Lord with all her heart.

I graduated from a homeschool education two years ago and am currently staying at home serving my parents and Heavenly Father.

The Lord has been working in the hearts of my family in many different areas the past couple years and this blog was born out of a desire to share what He has been teaching me personally.

This past spring as I was contemplating turning 20 this summer, I started a Bible Study on finding God's purpose for my life. What did He want me doing? Where did He want me going? What were my goals in life supposed to be? What should I be working towards? How am I going to counter the culture for Christ? Many more questions like that were running through my mind.

As I worked my way through the Bible seeking verses that would tell me what God's purpose for me was and praying that He would give me direction, I came across this verse in Exodus 9. It says, "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed." Wow, "...I have raised you up for this purpose..". Obviously God was making it very clear. "..that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed." This was such a comfort to me and yet overwhelming. God made us so that we could see His power.....but also so that His name would be proclaimed.

As I broke this verse apart God started to give me a vision.

To start with, the first part of the verse said, "..that I might show you my power.."

To me this meant God wants us to know Him and to see His power. "Well", I thought, "How do I go about getting to know God?" The answers that came to mind were: Spending time in His Word, meditating on His Word, praying with Him, but most of all, making the time to spend with Him.

When I spent time in the Scriptures I would see His power. When I would make the time to spend with Him, I would see His hand at work in my life and in the lives of others. I could see His power.

As my mind started to pull apart the verse and figure out how to apply this to my life, I realized that God had been preparing me for this point in my life already. (Surprise) :)

By taking apologetics this past year through online classes, God had been teaching me about Himself and showing me His amazing power. Through learning about the intricacies of the human eye and the other irreducibly complex systems, the fossil record, archaeological findings and so much more, God had been showing me His power.

It is exciting for me to think about, that if we are here to see His power, than how much more He has in store for us to find out!

The second part of the verse said, "..and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Again my mind started to pick this new section apart. "How could I apply this part to my life?" Well, obviously through witnessing, handing out tracks, living a life that reflects God, those were my first thoughts. "But how else?" I thought. "How can I tell others what I am learning about God's power and proclaim His name?"

Have you guessed yet?..... A blog!

My desire with this blog is to give encouragement to believers, write articles that are thought provoking, but most of all give glory to God and show how powerful He is!

As the title of my Blog says, this is a quest for truth. I want to continue to find new ways that God is showing us His power and to remember the ways He has shown us. I also want to find answers to the hard questions that are out there, that question God's power.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

Am I prepared to "..give a reason for the hope that you have.."? Am I ready to proclaim God's power? I don't think we will ever be fully "prepared", but if we spend the time with God cultivating our relationships, see His power in everything, and begin to prepare ourselves to give a reason, then I would say that we will begin to fulfill our purpose on earth!

My prayer is that God will bless this blog and that all who read it will be blessed as well!

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About Me

Hello! This blog was born out of a desire to serve God and encourage others.
I am a twenty four year old stay-at-home daughter who loves serving her wonderful parents and siblings.
I live in beautiful New England where I am reminded every day of the blessings God has given me.
My Dad is the leader and protector of our family and my desire is to help him fulfill his dreams and visions for our family.
My Mom's desire is also to help my Dad succeed in His dreams while also training/encouraging my sister and I to be young women who love the Lord and keep His commandments.
As a homeschool graduate I have had the privilege of spending my whole life under the tutelage of God fearing parents who desire to equip my sister and I with abilities we will need to be a daughter,wife, mother, keeper at home, servant of God, and fellow Christian friend.
My prayer is that this blog will encourage other believers and that it will give me opportunities to proclaim Christ's name.
Exodus 9:16 "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Will you consider signing the petition?

Phillipians 4:8 ~ "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The Holocaust vs. Abortion? They are the same thing.

1 Peter 3:15 ~ "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

Dressing for His Glory!

"An enlightened people will never suffer what was established for their security to be perverted to an act of tyranny." ~ George Nicholas